Wakefield! Varitek! Nothing Beats Red Sox Opening Day!

2012 is going to be a special year. It's the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park and what better way to celebrate this momentous occasion but to celebrate Red Sox Opening Day? Fenway Park looks much different than it did 100 years ago, but on opening day the team remains the same as it did back in 1912 - talented and somewhat flawed.

And that's the point. Because 2012 is also the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Maybe you've seen the movie? And no coincidentally, the Mayans think the world is going to end in December of this year. So the sinking of the Titanic and the end of the World are also in the news this year? What better way to celebrate another Red Sox season. The symmetry of it all isn't lost on me.

But it's a beautiful, sunny day, and the Red Sox and Rays are going to be playing in Kenmore Square to start another season. Who cares that the Red Sox are 1-5 this year? They started 0-6 last year and look at what happened! Well, until September that is.

2pm. Boston, MA.  It was a nice touch that Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield threw out the first pitches.  They both looked somewhat uncomfortable out there, but who cares?  Let's get to the game though.  Josh Beckett, after a horrid start against the Tigers in the second game of the season, looks to improve against a formidable Tampa Bay Rays starting lineup that has started the season 4-2.

First Inning.  The only highlight is Brignac and Longoria bumping into each other on foul pop fly.  I guess no news is good news.  0-0 after 1.

Second Inning.  How uncomfortable were the Wakefield and Varitek interviews with Don and Jerry.  "How do you like retirement?"  They both answer that they are ready to come back if needed.  Sounds like voluntary retirements if I ever heard them.  And this is the highlight of the inning.  Oh man.  1-0 Rays after 2.

Third Inning.  Just when I thought that the highlight of this inning would be Kelly Shoppach literally sticking his elbow out to get hit by a pitch (Coach Buttermaker would be proud), the Red Sox score three runs on bleeders by Ellsbury, Gonzalez and Big Papi.  Red Sox take the lead 3-1!

Fourth Inning.  Ellsbury drives in another run and doubles his hit count on the season and then immediately gets hurt trying to break up a double play.  Seriously?  So now our vaunted outfield consists of Darnell McDonald, Ryan Sweeney and Cody Ross.  I'm now shaking my head.  And Carl Crawford show us his wrist to let us know that he's still hurt too, OK thanks, Carl.  Hopefully it was a just little dislocation and he'll shake it off, unlike his "broken ribs" from a couple of years ago.  It's a contract year after all.  Red Sox lead 4-1.

Sixth Inning.  Kelly Shoppach is a menace on the basepaths.

Seventh Inning.  Oh, that's where Luke Scott went.

Eighth Inning.  Josh Beckett pitches a great game, reminiscent of 2007 or even early in 2011.  He holds The Rays to one run on five hits.  His battery mate, Kelly Shoppach, has three hits and drives in two runs with a double and continues his hairy baserunning when he his driven home by a Ryan Sweeney double and awkwardly slides into home.  Nevertheless, the Red Sox pour it on and take the lead 12-1.  This game is as good as over.  Unless they bring Mark Melancon in.  Oh crap.

Just kidding.  He gives up a meaningless run and the Red Sox win 12-2.  A lot of bloops and bleeders, but a win is a win.

Now about Jacoby Ellsbury...

Josh Beckett and the Minor Leagues

It had the makings of a really long afternoon.

Josh Beckett was probably thinking the same thing we were on this particular day.  The weather was hot and steamy, the Pawsox were a mirror image of their major league brother - gutted - although instead of injuries, the Pawsox were afflicted with a case of the callhimupitis.  It seemed that the Triple A team had taken over the Red Sox roster, what with guys like MacDonald and Nava and Brown and Richardson and Nelson as so on playing "pivotal roles" in Boston.  Even worse, Beckett was caught up in some disgruntled sportswriters vision of a utopian Red Sox team (i.e. the kinds of teams with problems); it seemed that he was milking his injury just like Jacoby Ellsbury, or so it seemed.

It was a recipe for disaster.  The kids were hot, and when I say hot, I mean whiny.  The beer and ice cream lines were wrapping around the concourse with no relief in sight, and the Pawsox were playing a good Triple A team.  I don't remember who, but I do remember someone remarking that they looked "strong."  Everyone agreed though that seeing Josh Beckett pitch for a 45 minute drive and a $5 general admission seat was pretty cool.

It got me thinking.  Which Josh Beckett were we going to see?  The one that was leading the league in Home Runs allowed before landing on the disabled list, or the one that went 20-7 in that magical year in 2007?  Even my son knew that Beckett had a lower back issue, but when healthy, which Beckett were we going to see?  I just hoped that he comes out  of the start healthy.  I've had enough of Tim Wakefield.  And if only Beckett could play catcher, too.  He's definitely a better hitter than Kevin Cash.

1pm.  Pawtucket, RI.  The crowd was buzzing.  It was sweltering, but people still stopped what they were doing to watch Beckett throw in the bullpen and saunter out to the mound for his warm-up pitches. 

"Is that Josh Beckett?" My six year old asked me expectantly. 

I was sweating bullets, so I only half muffled by condescending tone when I joked "Ah yes, that is why we're here big G.  Do you remember seeing him while we were waiting for tickets?"

"But is that him walking out to the middle of the field?"

We moved on from that little discussion because we finally reached the beer line after the 20 minute wait for hot dogs I knew noone would eat.  His questions would have to wait for those couple of seconds as I take that first sip of ice cold beer.

We barely get back to our place in the left field berm when the top of the first inning ends.  We hear some oohs and ahhs as Beckett mows them down, probably in order.  We settle in as best we can under our shade umbrellas (such tourists!).

We watch a couple of more innings sweltering on the surface of the sun.  Beckett takes care of business in the second inning; nad we dirnk our second beers.  The third inning rolls around and it appears that Beckett begins to labor a bit.  We move to Right Field and I notice that Beckett begins mixing in some off speed pitches.  Before we move, MM predicts that a home run will be hit.  Of course, it was Beckett that gave up the home run as we begin our slow move.  I'm disappointed that Beckett gives up the home run, but I don't think anyone else notices.  My boys are starting to angle for foul balls (even though we're sitting in fair territory)  and my three year old daughter may have passed out on her Mother's lap. 

An hour and a half later, I decide that it's probably time to leave.  Beckett pitched four decent innings giving up only that one home run.  The Pawsox are winning 2-1.  My shirt has now completely changed colors from sweat and the kis drinks spilling on me.  Who knew I'd be the one wanting to leave a baseball game?  We hear that the kids can run the bases at the end of the game, so I begrudgingly agree to stay.  Ultimately, everyone had fun running the bases with the Pawsox mascot giving everyone high-5s. Even Mom got into running the bases. 

Which Beckett are we going to see next week?  I just hope one in a Red Sox uniform.

Photo courtesy of NESN